August 24, 2012 - Christie Administration Celebrates Women’s Equality Day: A Celebration of the 19th Amendment and Women’s Right to Vote

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:August 24, 2012

CONTACT:Kristine A. BrownDirector of Communications609-633-8507

Christie Administration Celebrates Women’s Equality Day:A Celebration of the 19th Amendment and Women’s Right to Vote

TRENTON, NJ – Sunday, August 26, 2012 marks Women’s Equality Day, in recognition of the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. The day also marks the 38th anniversary of the establishment of the New Jersey Division on Women.

Women’s Equality Day was designated in 1971 by a joint resolution of Congress. It is celebrated annually to commend and support women of the United States in their organizations and activities for equal rights.

Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno said, “Although the role of women in America has evolved dramatically since the passage of the 19th Amendment 92 years ago, Women’s Equality Day reminds us of the need to continue to work each day for equality, justice, peace and development for women from various nationalities, ethnicities, cultures, religions, economic and political backgrounds. We are proud to pay tribute to those trailblazers who made equality for women a reality and changed the course of history for the better of all members of our society.”

Lt. Governor Guadagno added, “Never has it been more important for women to exercise their right to vote. Many trailblazing women fought hard to achieve this right for us - a right which many women across the globe still do not have.”

In New Jersey, residents over age 18 who are U.S. citizens can register to vote by completing a Voter Registration Application available on the state’s web site at: http://www.njelections.org/ voting-information-voter-registration-forms.html. The registration deadline to vote is 21 days prior to Election Day.

In July 2012, the New Jersey Division on Women embarked on a new chapter in its history as it became a part of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. Commissioner Allison Blake said, “We view the integration of the Division on Women as a natural step forward with one mutual goal at heart: working to empower and strengthen women all throughout our state so that they may continue to be pillars that our children, youth and entire families greatly depend on.”

Commissioner Blake added, “To all the women who came before us, to those working in our midst today, along with those whom we are nurturing in our care and those far beyond our daily lives, wherever you stand, we salute and thank you for all you do on behalf of the children and families we serve across New Jersey.”

The Department of Children and Families was created in July 2006 as the state’s first Cabinet agency devoted exclusively to serving and safeguarding the most vulnerable children and families in New Jersey. DCF includes the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, Division of Family and Community Partnerships, Division of Children’s System of Care and Division on Women. For more information on the Department of Children and Families visit www.nj.gov/dcf, call toll-free 1-855-INFO-DCF or email askdcf@dcf.state.nj.us